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Inequalities in Untreated Root Caries and Affordability of Dental Services among Older American Adults

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  • Fatma Badr

    (Department of Oral Diagnostic Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry, King Abdulaziz University, P.O. Box 80209, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
    Faculty of Dentistry, Oral & Craniofacial Sciences, Dental Public Health, King’s College London, Denmark Hill Campus, 2nd Floor Dental Extension, Bessemer Road, Denmark Hill, London SE5 9RS, UK)

  • Wael Sabbah

    (Faculty of Dentistry, Oral & Craniofacial Sciences, Dental Public Health, King’s College London, Denmark Hill Campus, 2nd Floor Dental Extension, Bessemer Road, Denmark Hill, London SE5 9RS, UK)

Abstract

The growing geriatric population is facing numerous economic challenges and oral health changes. This study explores the relationship between affordability of dental care and untreated root caries among older American adults, and whether that relationship is independent of ethnicity and socioeconomic factors. Data from 1776 adults (65 years or older) who participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) were analyzed. The association between affordability of dental care and untreated root caries was assessed using logistic regression models. Findings indicated that untreated root caries occurred in 42.5% of those who could not afford dental care, and 14% of those who could afford dental care. Inability to afford dental care remained a statistically significant predictor of untreated root caries in the fully adjusted regression model (odds ratio 2.79, 95% confidence interval: 1.78, 4.39). Other statistically significant predictors were gender (male), infrequent dental visits, and current smoking. The study concludes that the inability to afford dental care was the strongest predictor of untreated root caries among older Americans. The findings highlight the problems with access to and use of much needed dental services by older adults. Policy reform should facilitate access to oral healthcare by providing an alternative coverage for dental care, or by alleviating the financial barrier imposed on older adults.

Suggested Citation

  • Fatma Badr & Wael Sabbah, 2020. "Inequalities in Untreated Root Caries and Affordability of Dental Services among Older American Adults," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(22), pages 1-8, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:22:p:8523-:d:446431
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Duncan, G.J. & Daly, M.C. & McDonough, P. & Williams, D.R., 2002. "Optimal indicators of socioeconomic status for health research," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 92(7), pages 1151-1157.
    2. Bernabé, E. & Sheiham, A., 2014. "Age, period and cohort trends in caries of permanent teeth in four developed countries," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 104(7), pages 115-121.
    3. Sabbah, Wael & Tsakos, Georgios & Sheiham, Aubrey & Watt, Richard G., 2009. "The role of health-related behaviors in the socioeconomic disparities in oral health," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 68(2), pages 298-303, January.
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    Cited by:

    1. Sonia Nath & Sneha Sethi & João L. Bastos & Helena M. Constante & Kostas Kapellas & Dandara Haag & Lisa M. Jamieson, 2022. "A Global Perspective of Racial–Ethnic Inequities in Dental Caries: Protocol of Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(3), pages 1-12, January.
    2. Yu Wei & Jingqian Wang & Dongyue Dai & Haohao Wang & Min Zhang & Zhigang Zhang & Xuedong Zhou & Libang He & Lei Cheng, 2022. "Application of a Caries Treatment Difficulty Assessment System in Dental Caries Management," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(21), pages 1-13, October.

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